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Sep 14, 2018

Thousands rally against looming offensive on northwest Syria

Istanbul, Turkey - Thousands of people have taken to the streets across
Syria's last remaining stronghold to protest against a potential
full-fledged offensive by government forces and their allies.
Activists told Al Jazeera that Friday's demonstrations took place in
more than two dozen towns and villages in Idlib, a northwestern province
that is home to more than three million people.

In recent weeks, the Syrian government, supported by Russia and
pro-Iranian militias, has been amassing forces close to areas controlled
by rebels in Idlib and northern Hama provinces, threatening a
large-scale ground offensive that may result in a "bloodbath", according
to the United Nations.

In early September, the forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
launched an intense campaign of shelling, air raids and barrel-bombing
of opposition-held territories. The Russian-backed bombardment has
receded over the past few days.

One of the biggest demonstrations was held in the city of Maarat
al-Nouman in central Idlib province, where an estimated 25,000 people,
including civilians from neighbouring villages and towns, gathered after
Friday prayers, according to local sources.

"We want to send a message to the rest of the world that we are just an
oppressed people who want freedom," said Mahmoud Harkawi, 36, who works
in a printing house in Maarat al-Nouman.

He said the rally was organised by the city council and a number of local activists.

"Our goal is the toppling of the Assad regime and stopping Russian aggression on our city," he added.

Ahmad al-Youssef, who also participated in the demonstration in Maara
al-Nouman, said the protesters shouted chants in support of the Free
Syrian Army (FSA), a group of opposition factions founded by officers
who deserted the Syrian forces after the begining of the war in 2011.

"The demonstration aimed to prove to the international community, Russia
and the regime that this is a popular revolution and not terrorism, as
they claim," said al-Youssef, 24, who works with a group providing
psychological support to children.
Idlib on the edge

Over the past few years, Maarat al-Nouman has witnessed repeated
protests against Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, armed group formerly known
as Al-Nusra Front which renounced its affiliation with al-Qaeda in
2016), which controls parts of Idlib province.

In 2016, residents managed to expel all of the group's fighters from the
city following clashes with the 13th Division, a local faction of the
FSA.

Al-Youssef told Al Jazeera that Friday's protest was larger than one
that was held on September 7, which took place hours before a trilateral
summit between Turkey, Russia and Iran in the latter's capital, Tehran.

The trilateral talks on the fate of Idlib failed to reach a
breakthrough, while a ceasefire proposed by Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan was rejected.

Idlib city, the capital of the densely populated province, witnessed two parallel demonstrations on Friday.

One was held at the Clock Square by HTS members who raised flags of the
armed group, and another at the Martyrs' Square, where civilians waved
the black-white-green flag of the uprising and chanted slogans against
the Assad government.

Hadi al-Abdullah, a pro-opposition activist and citizen journalist, told
Al Jazeera that the civilian demonstration was much bigger than the one
organised by HTS, attracting more than 5,000 people from the city and
the surrounding villages.

During the protests on September 7 in Idlib city, HTS members opened
fire on the protesters after they shouted slogans against the armed
group. Al-Abdullah told Al Jazeera that no such incidents took place
during Friday's protests..
Negotiations on

Meanwhile, negotiations between Russia and Turkey on the fate of Idlib continue.

Earlier on Friday, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced
that Erdogan will be hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin on
Monday in the Black Sea resort of Sochi to discuss the Syrian crisis.

"We are ready to cooperate with everyone in the fight against terror
groups but the killing of civilians, women and children under the guise
of fighting against terror is not correct," Cavusoglu said during a
press conference in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, where he is on an
official visit.

Russia has cited the presence of "terrorists" for launching the
large-scale military offensive on opposition-controlled territories in
northwest Syria.

Both Russia and Turkey have designated HTS a terrorist group.

Turkish officials have warned against an all-out attack on Idlib and its
surrounding areas, saying that this could result it in another massive
wave of refugees fleeing towards its border with Syria.https://www.geezgo.com/sps/39188